Omaha daily bee., 1887-09-25
A Half Century Of Crime.

To those who would contend that there
is growth of crime co-extensive with
the increase of population in the world
and the spread of civilization, and 1t is not
doubted there are some such, the criminal
record of England for the past fifty years
presents instructive figures which must
cause them to modify their view. The
surveyor general of the prisons of Eng.
land has furnished this record, and it is
of very considerable interest both for its
information and its suggestions. In the
first place there has been a noteworthy
advance in the care of prisons and pris-
oners. There is a vast contrast between
the hulks and jails of the period of Vic
toria's accession and the prisons of to.
day, as well as in the character of
their management and the treatment
given prisoners. The law breaker of
fifty years ago was thrown into filthy
pen or nolsome dungeon and was
treated without the least mercy or con-
sideration. Now the prisons are cleanly
and comparatively comfortable, and
while occasional acts of brutality to in
mates are noted, the rule is that prisoners
of to-day suffer none of the hardships
and abuse inflicted upon those of half q
century ago.
When the reign of Victoria began there
were $4,000 convicts under sentence,
about nine-tenths of these being in the
Australian colonies, three or four thous-
and were in the hulks in chains awaiting
transportation, while others were i'm
prlsoned at various points. In July
| of tue present year there were but
7,414 convicts under sentence
of penal servitude, while 1900 more
had been released conditionally and
were under police supervision. Further
more, in 1887 the children now in reform
atories would have gone with their
older contempories in crime to Australia.
Thus in round numbers there were only
about 10000 inmates of convict prisons
in England last July, as against the 50,.
600 of half century ago. The increase
of population, at the same rate of crimi.
nal acts AS in 1887, would probably give
100, 900 as the present number of convicts
to be expected. The showing, therefore,
is certainly extremely encouraging
The United States cannot boast of a
similar progress in eliminating crime.
For obvious reasons it has in
creased IN this country. not the
least important of which Is
the fact that here has been
the most inviting field for European
criminals. In 1880 there were in this
country 59.255 criminals, and doubtless
the number IS somewhat greater at this
time. At all events, there is in the
United States at this time proportion of
criminals to population quite three times
as large as in England. Among other
reasons 1t is very likely this is to some
extent due to the less rigid enforcement
of law in this country. 1t is pretty
generally understood that somebody is
punished for every crime committed in
England. 1t Is the certainty of punish.
ment rather than its severity that Is be-
leved to diminish crime. In this country
detection, arrest and conviction are all
very uncertain, and therefore crimes
are very numerous, the crimi.
nal classes taking large chances
on the generally loose administration OF
justice. Another disadvantage IN this
country Is the fact of every state and ter.
ritory having different criminal code,
which may be changed at every session
of the legislature. So far as the record
of crime is concerned. England has GER
tainly made most commendaDle progress
in fifty years, and doubtless makes bet.
ter showing than can any other country
1t IS to be hoped that in the next hall
century the United States will have made
an equally gratifying advance IN the
same direction.